York Region has its first confirmed cases of monkeypox.
The region announced July 7 that the infectious disease had arrived within the municipality, with two cases confirmed that are not connected to one another.
The illness has been spreading throughout Ontario and the world, with 101 confirmed provincial cases as of July 4.
But York’s medical officer of health, Dr. Barry Pakes, said the community risk is still “considered to be very low.”
“York Region Public Health continues to monitor the situation and follow up with all close contacts of the two cases, who have both been isolating appropriately,” Pakes said in a news release.
Monkeypox is an infection with symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches and rashes, with outbreaks popping up globally.
Canada has had 358 cases as of July 6. Most Ontario cases have been in Toronto -- approximately 85 of 101, according to Public Health Ontario.
Although the disease is spreading, York Region said that transmission comes less easily than COVID-19.
“Monkeypox is caused by a virus that does not spread easily between people. When it does, it spreads through prolonged close contact, such as between household members or during intimate contact,” the region said.
“It may also spread through contact with contaminated materials, such as bedding or laundry, or from contact with body fluids, such as the fluid from monkeypox sores.”
Public health agencies around the world are monitoring the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization opted against declaring it a public health emergency of international concern in June but indicated that the virus should be closely monitored and that controlling it could require some intense response efforts.
The region said the symptoms are common among many diseases and may not indicate monkeypox. Still, if you have come into contact with anyone with a suspected or confirmed monkeypox case or with someone with monkeypox symptoms, you should isolate and contact your health care provider.
“Like other diseases that spread through close contact, people can lower their risk of being exposed to monkeypox by avoiding close contact with those who are unwell, practising good hand and respiratory hygiene and practising safer sex,” the region said.
The exact location of the two monkeypox cases has not been disclosed by public health. When asked about which municipalities the cases are in, a spokesperson said "personal details are not being released to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the individuals."
Vaccine clinics for monkeypox are available, but the Ontario Ministry of Health said it is for those who may be at higher risk of infection. Health authorities are not currently recommending vaccines for the general population.
York Region and other health units have indicated that based on provincial guidelines, pre-exposure vaccines are being provided to those who self-identify as gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men.
They must also meet at least one other criteria, which can include having two or more sexual partners within the past 21 days, having anonymous/casual sex in the past 21 days, engaging in sex for work, or having received a sexual-transmitted infection diagnosis in the past two months.
You can find more information at york.ca/monkeypox. The region said information on future cases of monkeypox will be available on Public Health Ontario’s website.
